W.V. may already have its man

WEST VALLEY CITY — It looks like former city manager John Patterson's assistant will take the administrative reins of Utah's second-largest city.

Pending a formal vote Tuesday night by the City Council, Wayne Pyle will transition from acting to actual appointed city manager by Wednesday. But he won't exactly be filling Patterson's shoes.

"He's creating new shoes," said 12-year Councilwoman Margaret Peterson. Pyle will be the third city manager she has seen. "It's time for new shoes. It's time for new steps."

Pyle has been Patterson's assistant for the past five years. A 15-year Army reservist, Pyle, 38, was assistant city administrator at Midvale after five years with that city. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a master's degree in public administration.

"I'm just relieved we're past this transition point," he said over the phone.

That transition has been marked by Patterson's sudden resignation Nov. 7 after rumors of an inappropriate relationship with a former assistant resurfaced. Patterson is still in the hunt for a new job and said Tuesday Pyle "knows where the city needs to go."

Pyle, whose salary should jump from around $90,000 to about $102,000 in his new role, has already been meeting with investors for a 20,000-person capacity amphitheater that Patterson helped bring to West Valley City. Monday Pyle visited the construction site for an 80-acre cultural heritage center, and he has already met with officials to further the city's pursuit of the Hogle Zoo, if zoo leaders decide on moving instead of expanding. An overhaul of 3500 South is also high on the priority list.

Mayor Dennis Nordfelt said the council opted against a regional or nationwide search for a replacement because Pyle already meets the criteria for city manager. "I just feel like we've got a good man here, and we won't skip a beat with Wayne . . . there's no learning curve."

With sales tax revenues down in the city, Peterson said Pyle's focus will be financial stability and economic development, particularly along 3500 South. She also praised Pyle for his role in setting up the city's new justice court.

Pyle, who lives with his wife, Sue, and their four children in West Valley City, said his leadership style will be a bit more reserved than his "ebullient" predecessor. "We've got a City Council that is responsible for defining a policy and vision for where they want the city to go.

"The role I'm undertaking is to make sure the council's vision is forwarded and succeeds. . . . On we go."

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com